Date of Award

5-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Economics

Committee Member

Dr. David Willis, Committee Chair

Committee Member

Dr. William Bridges

Committee Member

Dr. Scott Barkowski

Abstract

This paper addresses the relationship between state level right-­to-­work (RTW) legislation and employer provided health insurance coverage. The effects of right-­to-­work policy are debated among researchers with some suggesting it leads to a positive effect on wages and non-­wage benefits and others suggesting the opposite. The main concern and goal of this study is to isolate the effect RTW laws have on employer provided health coverage. This study incorporates demographic and firm characteristics that prior research found to be significant control variables for isolating the effect of RTW status on employee health insurance coverage. Based on a series of linear probability models and difference-­in-­differences models, a worker residing in a state that has implemented a RTW policy is less likely to obtain health insurance than their non-­RTW counterpart. In addition to RTW status, demographic and firm characteristics affect the likelihood of an employee having health benefits.

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